Growing up, we see things on TV and assume that those things are normal. For example, two parents arguing is a common occurrence. Kids sneaking out or disobeying their parents is normal. If you’ve seen or read any Fifty Shades of Grey, it portrays those things as perfectly normal, even though that is the opposite of a healthy relationship.

Shows and movies often normalize behaviors that we know is wrong, but we see it happen on TV, and we’re like, “hey that’s cool, let’s repeat it”. For example, my favorite show, Shameless, shows a super messed up family, and even though I know their lives are messed up, they almost seem normal to me because I’ve grown accustomed to seeing them do bad things and messing up their lives further.

How does this affect children? If you don’t censor what they watch, they are more likely to repeat the behaviors they see on screen. Not only can it affect their behavior, but it can also desensitize them. I’ve been watching the ID channel for so long that the topic of death doesn’t even bother me. The more you see something, the less it bothers you. A great example is bees. If I were to see a bee today, I’d be very uncomfortable and try to avoid the bee. But if I became a beekeeper, I’d become desensitized and wouldn’t be scared of the bees anymore. Another example: roller coasters. The first time you ride one, you’re scared and unsure of what’s going to happen. After it’s over, you had fun, and you ride more roller coasters. You’re no longer uncomfortable when you get on a roller coaster.

While I’m against censorship in the media, I believe it’s very important to be aware of what you’re allowing your child to see, or even what you’re watching. When it comes to censorship, it should be the sole responsibility of the viewer (or parent of the viewer) to decide what to watch. In television and film, the team behind the shows and movies aren’t worried about how viewers feel about it, they’re only worried about fulfilling their artistic plans. They want to make something that people will enjoy, but they can’t cater to every angry person who says it’s too inappropriate.